Exclusive: Joyce manager hopeful of May 5 opponent announcement as early as Monday, talks Begum and Davies

Phil Jay 06/04/2018

S-Jam

Joe Joyce manager Sam Jones has informed WBN he hopes to announce the Olympic silver medallist’s opponent for the David Haye v Tony Bellew 2 undercard after this weekend.

Talks have been ongoing to seal a high calibre foe for ‘The Juggernaut’ after British rival Dereck Chisora turned down a big money offer to be in the opposite corner to Joyce at The O2 in London.

The likes of Mariusz Wach, Commonwealth champion Lenroy Thomas, Robert Helenius and European ruler Agit Kabayel have all been linked to Joyce, who intends to bulldoze his way through the division in quick time with titles firmly on his mind.

Updating on the situation as it stands, Jones has a few loose ends to tie up before making Joyce’s third pro outing official next week.

“The team have held negotiations over the past few weeks and I’m confident we are close to an agreement,” Jones exclusively told World Boxing News.

Asked to elaborate on who that may be, Jones added: “At the moment we are unable to confirm anything but I’m hopeful this can be made by public as early as Monday.”

Jones, under his newly-formed S-Jam Boxing promotional banner, also has Kody Davies and Ruqsana Begum appearing on the Sky Sports Box Office televised bill and is looking forward to showcasing all three fighters at a massive event.

“I am excited to get Kody on such a huge event to announce himself on the big stage. I believe he’ll go on to unify world titles as he’s that good,” said Jones.

“Ruqsana had a tough introduction to boxing but will be looking to put it right next month.”